Student Projects

Williams manages its landscaping using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. IPM is an environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of commonsense approaches. It combines four different practices to control any given pest: cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical. Cultural practices are preventative measures to create inhospitable environments for pests. Mechanical controls physically remove the pests. Biological control is releasing beneficial insects that prey on harmful pests. Chemical controls include pesticides (herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide) and natural compounds (insecticidal soaps, compost tea, vinegar and citric acid). IPM stresses only applying chemicals after all other methods have been tried and places emphasis on using the least toxic methods.

The Fields
Williams has turf for different purposes and as a result they receive different treatments. In all cases, Williams chooses species of plants and trees that are least susceptible to common diseases in the area. Those species may or may not be native. Grass clippings are left on the grass to decompose and return nutrients to the soil. On all fields, weeds are managed primarily through prevention and physical suppression.

Game fields where varsity and junior varsity competitions are held are expected to meet NCAA standards for play and as a result require the most maintenance. pH is monitored, as is phosphorus and potassium to determine the need for fertilization. During the playing season, grass on these fields is maintained at an inch and a half per NCAA standards, which generally equates to mowing the fields twice per week. During the off-season, the height of the grass is raised to two inches which is accomplished by mowing approximately once per week. These areas are watered with permanent in-ground irrigation systems. Irrigation is not set on a permanent timer, and watering only occurs when soil samples indicate low water levels, or if fields show visual signs of moisture stress. Synthetic fertilizers are applied several times during the summer and fall. Game fields are treated with herbicides – generally only as needed after weeds have sprouted, but several vulnerable fields are treated with pre-emergent herbicides. They are also treated with a preventative insecticide for grub control, and with several fungicides during the summer depending on temperature.

Practice fields are where varsity and junior varsity practices are held, and where rugby practices and games are held. These fields are given much less maintenance than game fields, much closer to that of common grounds. They are mowed approximately once per week, keeping them at a height around two inches, and are not watered. Synthetic fertilizers are applied several times during the summer and fall. No measures beyond natural prevention and physical suppression are used to manage weeds and insects.

Common grounds are the lawns surrounding residence halls, classroom buildings and offices. These are generally for day-to-day use, but not athletic events. Intramural and club sports play on fields that are maintained as common grounds. These areas are mowed approximately once per week, keeping them at a height around two inches, and are not watered. An organic fertilizer is applied annually in the fall. No measures beyond natural prevention and physical suppression are used to manage weeds and insects.

Possible Improvements
Williams currently uses potable water for irrigation. Not only is this practice wasteful of clean, potable water, the pH of the town water supply is slightly high. On most fields, this has little or no effect, but on some fields, it interferes with iron uptake, and necessitates additional fertilization.